One Pan Balsamic Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe

Introduction

This One Pan Balsamic Chicken dish is a flavorful and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. With a tangy balsamic sauce, juicy chicken, and fresh mozzarella-tomato topping, it comes together quickly and bakes beautifully in a single skillet.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tbsp. oil, such as avocado or olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 8 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
• 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
• 2 Tbsp. avocado oil or other high-heat oil
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, toss together halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Step 4: Heat avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add chicken in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly golden brown.
5. Step 5: Pour the balsamic sauce mixture over the chicken. It should begin to simmer quickly. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom.
6. Step 6: Remove the pan from heat immediately. Spread the tomato and mozzarella mixture evenly over the chicken.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the balsamic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Swap grape tomatoes for cherry or even sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense taste.
• Use fresh mozzarella pearls for easy melting and even distribution.
• Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious balsamic sauce.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep the mozzarella from becoming tough.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used. They may require a slightly longer baking time due to their thickness and higher fat content.

Is it necessary to use an oven-safe skillet?

Using an oven-safe skillet allows you to sear on the stove and finish cooking in the oven without transferring the chicken to another dish, which helps keep flavors intact and reduces cleanup.

One Pan Balsamic Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

A flavorful and easy one-pan balsamic chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a tangy balsamic sauce, juicy grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, combining savory, sweet, and fresh flavors in a simple oven-baked meal.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sauce

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp oil (avocado or olive oil)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Tomato and Cheese Mixture

• 8 oz grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Chicken

• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil or other high-heat oil
• Kosher salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Balsamic Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set the sauce mixture aside.
2. Prepare the Tomato and Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and finely chopped fresh basil. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the chicken.
4. Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large oven-safe skillet until shimmering. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a light golden brown crust.
5. Add Balsamic Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared balsamic sauce over the seared chicken in the skillet. The sauce should come to a quick simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating them into the sauce for extra flavor. Remove the skillet from heat immediately after.
6. Top with Tomato and Mozzarella: Evenly distribute the tomato and mozzarella mixture over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
7. Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 18-23 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
8. Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juicy tenderness and allow flavors to meld.

Notes

• For best results, pound the chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
• You can substitute grape tomatoes with cherry tomatoes if needed.
• If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before baking.
• Check chicken temperature with an instant-read thermometer to guarantee it is fully cooked.
• This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or roasted vegetables.

Keywords: balsamic chicken, one pan chicken recipe, mozzarella and tomato chicken, easy baked chicken, Italian chicken dinner, healthy chicken recipe